Tag Archives: insurance

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

08/30/2012 Nativegrl77

Consumers Union, Policy and Action from Consumer Reports

400,000 and counting

That’s the number of consumers who’ve asked Trader Joe’s grocery to sell only meat raised without antibiotics. This tidal wave of support shows grocers and factory farmers that you DO want drugs out of food animals so we can better fight off antibiotic-resistant superbugs in our communities.

Chris Meyer, Vice President, External Affairs We’ll be delivering your petition signatures soon in a high profile way. If you haven’t joined our campaign, there’s still time to get involved.

Chris Meyer, Consumer Reports

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Did you know you can actually overdose on vitamins? Or that those ‘natural’ supplements may be anything but. Consumer Reports examines the 10 surprising dangers of vitamins and supplements in this month’s issue. Learn more…

1.2 million messages to lawmakers this year from consumer advocates like you!

YOU showed us the money

Many of you sent in photos of refund checks you got from insurance companies that wasted your money. We put together a quick, fun video featuring you and your money being reunited, thanks to a provision in the health care law that holds insurers accountable to you.

But opponents still want to take away your right to a refund by gutting the law. Our video shows critics that the law works – cash doesn’t lie! Watch it now, then forward it to your state Insurance Commissioner.

Get antibiotics off your grill this Labor Day It can be tough shopping for meat raised without antibiotics, thanks to confusing labels and few grocers that carry a variety of no-antibiotic meat. Look for these labels so you know you’re really buying chicken, pork and beef without drugs.

Can’t drive 55? How about 55 miles per gallon? That’s the new standard (54.5 mpg) required of all new cars starting in 2025, thanks to a strong push from those of you demanding better gas mileage. The new rules were just finalized, so check out details here.

Fact Check: Health care law’s ‘cuts’ to Medicare You’ve likely heard politicians claim the Affordable Care Act is taking away Medicare benefits. We turned our fact checker on this claim and found out who is saving money (taxpayers), who is getting less money (health insurance companies), and who is getting more benefits (seniors). Check out the facts here.

Planning on living forever? Sometimes it seems possible with all the new medical implants on the market. But surprisingly these devices are held to lower safety standards than prescription drugs. With your help we fought for new safety rules in Congress. Find out what we won, lost and what’s next.

Bank of America ends nasty practice after our report

Arsenic in juice: More food testing on the way thanks to new grant

Internet sloooow? Check the map to see if you’re left out of broadband coverage

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Spread the Word: The Health Care Law is Working for Women

07/11/2012 Nativegrl77

When the Supreme Court took up the Affordable Care Act last week, opponents asked the Court to overturn the new health care law entirely. But if that were to happen, women would lose vital protections — including coverage of women’s preventive services with no co-pays — that the law now guarantees.

Please help spread the word about what the new health care law is doing for women — share our new video, “I Will NOT Be Denied,” and help people understand what we’ll all lose if the Court strikes the law down.

Because of the new health care law, just in the past year:Over 20 million women with private insurance have received at least one preventive health care service without a co-pay or deductible. Over 39 million women no longer face lifetime limits on coverage, so they can get the health care they need. About 2.5 million young adults gained health coverage because they could stay on their parents’ plans until age 26. And these provisions are just the beginning. Will you please help tell the world what the law is doing for women? Please share our new video and help us tell opponents of affordable care “I Will NOT Be Denied.”™

Thank for all that you do on behalf of women and their families.

Sincerely,

Dania Palanker, Senior Health Policy Advisor

National Women’s Law Center

Black History

CONGRESS: the Republican led House / the Senate considers S.1940,Flood Ins ,S.2343,Student Loan & Transportation bills

06/27/2012 Nativegrl77

the Senate Convenes: 9:30amET June 27, 2012

Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized. The Senate will continue to debate S.1940, the Flood Insurance bill on Wednesday’s session.
The first hour will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.
We hope to reach an agreement to complete action on the flood insurance bill. We will also consider the transportation bill and the student loan extension prior to the recess.

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.511, commending the Pacific Lutheran University Lutes Softball Team for winning the 2012 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Softball Championship.

Adopted S.Res.512, recognizing the 100^th anniversary of Rice University.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.3342, a bill to improve information security and for other purposes. (McCain and others)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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5:24:45 P.M.

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

http://clerk.house.gov/floorsummary/floor.aspx

10:00:42 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:58 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Richard B. Nugent to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:32 A.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
11:21:05 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:18 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 27.
12:00:32 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
12:01:52 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:01:56 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Coffman of CO to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:16 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.
12:26:17 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of a motion to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
12:27:39 P.M.	H.R. 4018	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 4018 — “To improve the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program.”
12:28:06 P.M.	H.R. 4018	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
12:28:11 P.M.	H.R. 4018	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:28:25 P.M.	H.R. 5972	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 5972 — “Making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes.”
12:28:54 P.M.	H.R. 5972	The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
12:29:51 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Broun (GA), to reduce the Public and Indian Housing account by $6,500,000, and apply the savings to the deficit reduction account.
12:30:04 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Sixth Broun (GA) amendment under the five-minute rule.
12:35:30 P.M.	H.R. 5972	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Sixth Broun (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Broun (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
12:36:31 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Broun (GA), to reduce the salaries and expenses account for the Office of Community Planning and Development by $3,500,000, and apply the savings to the deficit reduction account.
12:36:34 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Seventh Broun (GA) amendment under the five-minute rule.
12:43:02 P.M.	H.R. 5972	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Seventh Broun (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Broun (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
12:43:57 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Broun (GA), to reduce funds for the Office of Housing salaries and expenses account by $5,000,000, and apply the savings to the deficit reduction account.
12:44:00 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Eighth Broun (GA) amendment under the five-minute rule.
12:50:10 P.M.	H.R. 5972	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Eighth Broun (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Broun (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
12:50:53 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Broun (GA), to reduce the salaries and expenses account for the Office of Policy Development and Research by $115,000, and apply the savings to the deficit reduction account.
12:51:14 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Ninth Broun (GA) amendment under the five-minute rule.
1:02:00 P.M.	H.R. 5972	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Ninth Broun (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Broun (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
1:02:38 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Broun (GA), reduce the salaries and expenses account for the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity by $304,000, and apply the savings to the deficit reduction account.
1:02:42 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Tenth Broun (GA) amendment under the five-minute rule.
1:09:09 P.M.	H.R. 5972	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Tenth Broun (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Broun (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
1:10:04 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Nadler, numbered 3 printed in the Congressional Record to increase funds for the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance program under the Public and Indian Housing section by $460,000,000.
1:10:05 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Nadler amendment No. 3 under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.
1:15:30 P.M.	H.R. 5972	Mr. Latham raised a point of order against the Nadler amendment. Mr. Latham stated that the amendment sought a net increase of funding in the bill and was in violation of the Rules of the House. The Chair sustained the point of order.
1:17:36 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Broun (GA), to reduce Public Housing Capital Fund by $11,000,000, and apply the savings to the deficit reduction account.
1:17:42 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Eleventh Broun (GA) amendment under the five-minute rule.
1:26:20 P.M.	H.R. 5972	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Eleventh Broun (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Broun (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
1:27:43 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Broun (GA), to reduce the Public Housing Operating fund by $56,215,000, and apply the savings to the deficit reduction account.
1:27:46 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Twelth Broun (GA) amendment under the five-minute rule.
1:34:00 P.M.	H.R. 5972	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Twelth Broun (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Broun (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
1:35:10 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Ms. Hanabusa, to increase funds for the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grants program by $13,000,000.
1:35:13 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Hanabusa amendment under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.
1:38:42 P.M.	H.R. 5972	Mr. Latham raised a point of order against the Hanabusa amendment. Mr. Latham stated that the amendment proposes to increase funds for a program which had not been authorized. The Chair sustained the point of order.
1:43:43 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Chaffetz, to return the funding level for the Community Development Fund to the FY 2012 levels.
1:43:46 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Chaffetz amendment under the five-minute rule.
1:54:28 P.M.	H.R. 5972	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Chaffetz amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. McClintock demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
1:55:48 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. McClintock, to zero out the funding for the Community Development Fund including the CDBG program and apply the savings to the deficit reduction account.
1:55:52 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the McClintock amendment under the five-minute rule.
2:05:03 P.M.	H.R. 5972	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the McClintock amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. McClintock demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
2:05:50 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Diaz-Balart, numbered 4 printed in the Congressional Record to provide that unless explicitly provided, not to exceed 25 percent of any grant made with funds appropriated by the bill may be expended for public services as defined by law.
2:06:12 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Diaz-Balart amendment No. 4 under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.
2:13:45 P.M.	H.R. 5972	By unanimous consent, the Diaz-Balart amendment was withdrawn.
2:17:18 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. McClintock, numbered 11 printed in the Congressional Record to zero out the funding for the Community Development Loan Guarantees Program Account and to apply the savings to the spending reduction account.
2:17:36 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the McClintock amendment No. 11 under the five-minute rule.
2:26:37 P.M.	H.R. 5972	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the McClintock amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. McClintock demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
2:27:36 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Flake, to reduce funding for the Home Investment Partnership Program by $200 million and to apply the savings to the deficit reduction account.
2:27:47 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the first Flake amendment under the five-minute rule.
2:42:10 P.M.	H.R. 5972	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Flake amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Flake demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
2:43:46 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Bachus, numbered 5 printed in the Congressional Record to provide that up to $200 million shall be for necessary expenses authorized under the HOME Investment Partnerships Act related to disaster relief.
2:43:58 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Bachus amendment No. 5 under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.
2:49:13 P.M.	H.R. 5972	Mr. Diaz-Balart raised a point of order against the Bachus amendment. Mr. Diaz-Balart stated that the provisions of the Bachus amendment sought to impart new direction and as such, constituted legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.
2:51:31 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Clarke (MI), to increase Homeless Assistance Grants by $5 million, offset by a reduction in funds for the Working Capital Fund account by a similar amount.
2:51:35 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Clarke (MI) amendment under the five-minute rule.
2:54:24 P.M.	H.R. 5972	On agreeing to the Clarke (MI) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
2:55:25 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. LaTourette, to expand the percentage of NSP 2 and NSP 3 funds that can be used for demolition projects to 75%.
2:55:40 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the LaTourette amendment under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.
3:07:12 P.M.	H.R. 5972	Mr. Latham raised a point of order against the LaTourette amendment. Mr. Latham stated that the provisions of the LaTourette amendment sought to change existing law and as such constituted legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.
3:09:00 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Price (NC), to allow Public Housing Authorities to merge Operating and Capital Funds.
3:09:04 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Price (NC) amendment under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.
3:12:03 P.M.	H.R. 5972	Mr. Latham raised a point of order against the Price (NC) amendment. Mr. Latham stated that the provisions of the Price (NC) amendment sought to change existing law and as such, constituted legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.
3:31:39 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Broun (GA), to reduce funding for the Federal Maritime Commission Salaries and Expenses by $900,000 and to apply the savings to the spending reduction account.
3:31:42 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the thirteenth Broun (GA) amendment.
3:33:34 P.M.	H.R. 5972	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Broun (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Broun (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
3:34:36 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Broun (GA), to reduce funding for the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation by $12.3 million and to apply the savings to the spending reduction account.
3:34:39 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the fourteenth Broun (GA) amendment.
3:46:03 P.M.	H.R. 5972	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Broun (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Broun (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
3:52:36 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Garamendi, to change Section 412 regarding the Buy American Act to ensure that domestic content makes up 85% of all steel, iron and manufacturing goods, including rolling stock.
3:52:58 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Garamendi amendment under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.
3:59:00 P.M.	H.R. 5972	Mr. Latham raised a point of order against the Garamendi amendment. Mr. Latham stated that the provisions of the Garamendi amendment sought to change existing law and as such, constituted legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.
4:04:20 P.M.	H.R. 5972	UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
4:37:22 P.M.	H.R. 5972	On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 168 – 256 (Roll no. 424).
4:41:24 P.M.	H.R. 5972	On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 178 – 240 (Roll no. 425).
4:45:14 P.M.	H.R. 5972	On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 174 – 248 (Roll no. 426).
4:49:08 P.M.	H.R. 5972	On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 193 – 229 (Roll no. 427).
4:53:01 P.M.	H.R. 5972	On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 178 – 247 (Roll no. 428).
4:56:25 P.M.	H.R. 5972	On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 169 – 250 (Roll no. 429).
4:59:52 P.M.	H.R. 5972	On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 160 – 264 (Roll no. 430).
5:03:14 P.M.	H.R. 5972	On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 172 – 249 (Roll no. 431).
5:06:28 P.M.	H.R. 5972	On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 172 – 250 (Roll no. 432).
5:11:13 P.M.	H.R. 5972	On agreeing to the Chaffetz amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 157 – 267 (Roll no. 433).
5:14:50 P.M.	H.R. 5972	On agreeing to the McClintock amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 80 – 342 (Roll no. 434).
5:18:16 P.M.	H.R. 5972	On agreeing to the McClintock amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 123 – 300 (Roll no. 435).
5:21:49 P.M.	H.R. 5972	On agreeing to the Flake amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 178 – 242 (Roll no. 436).
5:22:13 P.M.	H.R. 5972	Mr. Latham moved to rise.
5:22:23 P.M.	H.R. 5972	On motion to rise Agreed to by voice vote.
5:22:33 P.M.	H.R. 5972	Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 5972 as unfinished business.
5:24:45 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
8:15:00 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 27.
8:16:27 P.M.		Mr. Nugent filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 708.
8:17:20 P.M.	H.R. 5972	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 5972 — “Making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes.”
8:17:40 P.M.	H.R. 5972	The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
8:18:55 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mrs. Blackburn, to reduce the amount of this Act by 1 percent.
8:18:59 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Blackburn amendment under the five-minute rule.
8:31:58 P.M.	H.R. 5972	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Blackburn amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Blackburn demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
8:32:54 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. McClintock, to prohibit the use of funds for the Third Street Light Rail Phase 2 Central Subway project in San Francisco, California.
8:32:57 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the McClintock amendment No. 13 under the five-minute rule.
8:41:22 P.M.	H.R. 5972	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the McClintock amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Olver demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
8:42:50 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Cravaack, to prohibit the use of funds from being used to implement Vehicle Miles Traveled or a distance-based user fee.
8:42:53 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Cravaack amendment under the five-minute rule.
8:59:02 P.M.	H.R. 5972	On agreeing to the Cravaack amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
8:59:30 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Cravaack, to prohibit the use of funds for furtherance of the implementation of the European Union greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme for aviation activities established by European Union Directive 2008/101/EC.
8:59:44 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Second Cravaack amendment under the five-minute rule.
9:06:15 P.M.	H.R. 5972	On agreeing to the Cravaack amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
9:06:27 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Price (GA), to prohibit the use of funds to be used by PHMSA to require placement of line markers, other than at public road and railroad crossings.
9:06:29 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Price (GA) amendment under the five-minute rule.
9:11:09 P.M.	H.R. 5972	By unanimous consent, the Price (GA) amendment was withdrawn.
9:11:14 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Posey, numbered 8 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds for the International Highway Technology Scanning Program.
9:11:18 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Posey amendment No. 8 under the five-minute rule.
9:14:21 P.M.	H.R. 5972	On agreeing to the Posey amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
9:17:44 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Griffith (VA), to prohibit funds to be transfered to issue new grants as it pertains to the sustainable/livable communities grant program.
9:17:47 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Griffith amendment under the five-minute rule.
9:27:03 P.M.	H.R. 5972	On agreeing to the Griffith (VA) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
9:27:34 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Flores, to prohibit the use of funds to be used to enforce section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
9:27:37 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Flores amendment under the five-minute rule.
9:32:07 P.M.	H.R. 5972	On agreeing to the Flores amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
9:32:32 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Burgess, to prohibit the use of funds to be used by the Secretary of Transportation to authorize a person to operate an unmanned aircraft system in the national airspace system, or to manufacture, sell, or distribute an unmanned aircraft system as a weapon.
9:32:34 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Burgess amendment under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.
9:40:44 P.M.	H.R. 5972	Mr. Latham raised a point of order against the Burgess amendment. Mr. Latham stated that the provisions of the amendment sought to change existing law and as such constituted legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.
9:41:23 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Turner (OH), numbered 7 printed in the Congressional Record to address HUD/VA rules regarding veterans preference on VA 202 Properties.
9:42:26 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Turner (OH) amendment No. 7 under the five-minute rule.
9:45:38 P.M.	H.R. 5972	On agreeing to the Turner (OH) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
9:45:48 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Garrett, to prohibit the use of funds to be used by HUD to finalize new rule to establish disparate impact standards.
9:45:50 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Garrett amendment under the five-minute rule.
9:57:37 P.M.	H.R. 5972	On agreeing to the Garrett amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
9:58:07 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Cassidy, to prohibit the use of funds to be used by the Secretary of Transportation to make any transfer under the last proviso under the heading “Department of Transportation-Office of the Secretary–Payments to Air Carriers”.
9:58:10 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Cassidy amendment under the five-minute rule.
10:05:52 P.M.	H.R. 5972	On agreeing to the Cassidy amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
10:06:01 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Chabot, to prohibit the use of funds to be used to design, construct, or operate a fixed guideway project located in Cincinnati, Ohio.
10:06:03 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Chabot amendment under the five-minute rule.
10:10:40 P.M.	H.R. 5972	On agreeing to the Chabot amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
10:15:02 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Lankford, to prohibit the use of funds to be used by the Secretary of Transportation to implement, administer, or enforce the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Executive Order No. 13186.
10:15:05 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Lankford amendment under the five-minute rule.
10:20:00 P.M.	H.R. 5972	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Lankford amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Olver demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
10:21:31 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Denham, numbered 9 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to be used for high-speed rail in the State of California or for the California High-Speed Rail Authority.
10:21:53 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Denham amendment No. 9 under the five-minute rule.
10:32:59 P.M.	H.R. 5972	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Denham amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Denham demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
10:33:04 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Landry, to prohibit the use of funds to be used to promulgate or implement any regulations that would mandate global positioning system (GPS) tracking, electronic on-board recording devices, or event data recorders in passenger or commercial motor vehicles.
10:33:07 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Landry amendment under the five-minute rule.
10:41:26 P.M.	H.R. 5972	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Landry amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Olver demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
10:42:18 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Mr. Scalise, to prohibit the use of funds to be used to implement any rule or regulation that expressly prohibits an owner or landlord of housing from using a criminal conviction to deny housing to an applicant for such housing.
10:42:22 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Scalise amendment under the five-minute rule.
10:46:10 P.M.	H.R. 5972	On agreeing to the Scalise amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
10:46:37 P.M.	H.R. 5972	An amendment, offered by Ms. Herrera Beutler, to prohibit the use of funds to build flood protection walls for Interstate 5 between mile posts 72-82 in Lewis County, Washington.
10:46:46 P.M.	H.R. 5972	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 697, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Herrera Beutler amendment under the five-minute rule.
10:49:00 P.M.	H.R. 5972	By unanimous consent, the Herrera Beutler amendment was withdrawn.
10:52:24 P.M.	H.R. 5972	Mr. Latham moved that the Committee now rise.
10:52:47 P.M.	H.R. 5972	On motion that the Committee now rise Agreed to by voice vote.
10:53:07 P.M.	H.R. 5972	Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 5972 as unfinished business.
10:55:29 P.M.	H.R. 4348	Ms. Hahn moved that the House instruct conferees.
10:55:46 P.M.	H.R. 4348	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the Hahn motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 4348. The instructions contained in the motion seek to direct the managers on the part of the House to agree to the freight policy provisions in Sec. 1115, Sec. 33002, Sec. 33003, and Sec. 33005 of the Senate amendment.
11:10:50 P.M.	H.R. 4348	The previous question was ordered without objection.
11:11:15 P.M.	H.R. 4348	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Hahn motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 4348, the Chair put the question on adoption of the motion and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Hahn demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the motion until a time to be announced.
11:12:07 P.M.		Mr. Denham moved that the House do now adjourn.
11:12:16 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
11:12:37 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 28, 2012.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Don’t Deny My Health Care! … HCAN

06/26/2012 Nativegrl77

What’s at the heart of health care reform?

At every rally, in each blog post, in every comment we’ve made to the press or email we’ve sent you, HCAN has talked about how Obamacare expands coverage to more than 30 million people and eliminates the worst insurance company abuses.

We don’t talk about the so-called “mandate” because it’s a means to an end – it’s one of the ways everyone gets health care and it’s how we stop the big insurance companies from discriminating against people who are sick.

But the mandate isn’t what Obamacare is all about, even if that’s what the right-wing says to stir up anger against the Affordable Care Act.

Please take a moment to read our latest blog post in the Huffington Post about what’s at stake with the Supreme Court’s ruling. Help us spread the truth.

Please share it on Facebook and Tweet about it.

HCAN will keep you updated on how the Supreme Court’s ruling will affect everyone’s access to health care.

Thanks,

Will O’Neill
Health Care for America Now

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Smile – and pay up! … Minerva Novoa, ConsumersUnion

06/05/2012 Nativegrl77

Minerva Novoa,
Web team coordinator

In July the interest rate will double on widely used federal student loans, and Congress still hasn’t agreed on a way to stop it. If you’re frustrated by the ever-climbing cost of a college education, show us right now!

Send us your photo holding up a simple message of how much you are in debt for a college degree. Or how much your kids, or your grandkids, owe.

We’ll collect your photos and send a strong message to Congress that the old adage of ‘working your way through college’ is outdated when a year of college can equal a yearly salary. It’s time our leaders get real about the cost of a college education.

Getting serious about climate change
For the first time ever, the EPA is proposing limits on carbon pollution from new coal-fired power plants! Opponents are lining up to fight it, so tell the EPA you support pollution limits.

Good, Bad: Medical device bill passes
Your emails put pressure on Congress to strengthen the medical device safety bill, but we fell short of getting a big loophole closed. Find out what we won and lost.

Wanted: New home for money
It’s not you. Banks DO make it hard for you to close your account and move your money. Check out our new report, and find how you can more easily move your money.

Tricked by your health insurance?
Health insurers can make coverage so confusing you may avoid the doctor. If you’ve felt tricked by your insurance company share your story with us so we can know more.